Victor EzejaMinister of Works Engr. David Umahi and his counterpart, Minister of Finance, Chief Olawale Edun, on Friday, visited and inspected the Abuja – Kaduna -Zaria-Kano Highway and promised to fasten rehabilitation of the road.
The dual carriageway has been a source of concern to road users because of the many dilapidated spots and security challenges. Recent reports indicate that there is resurgence of criminal activities on the highway as bandits waylay travelers, rob, kidnap for ransom and also kill them.
According to a statement signed by the special adviser on Media to the Minister of Works, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, contract for fixing the highway had been awarded to Julius Berger Plc but it could not be completed because of security and funding challenges.
It said President Bola Tinubu, as part of his Renewed Hope agenda, views the road as very critical for the socio-economic advancement of the nation and is therefore committed to completing the project on a record time.
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Speaking during the road inspection, the Minister of Works assured the contractors that funding would not be a problem going forward.
He was quoted as saying: “We have got a commitment from the Honourable Minister of Finance to make payment, and I am very sure if we pay Julius Berger Plc according to the commitment on funding, it will complete the job”
The Minister also emphasised the need for a review of the contract sum.
His words: “We have issues of reviewing the contract sum, and we will sort that out. We sent our technical team to re examine the sub grade, which will be the basis of our redesign, let me emphasis that this is the first project we are touring in this place, and Mr President in his Renewed Hope Agenda has expressed his deep concern on the completion of the project and he has directed that everything must be done to get the entire project completed”
On his part, the Minister of Finance assured of the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government in the timely funding of the project in line with the agreed milestones.
“Under the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are both here on inspection to hear the commitment of the contractor handling the project and to support them, to as soon as possible complete this all important reconstruction of the Abuja- Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Road,” Mr Edun stated.
The Finance Minister described the works sector as one of the most strategic sectors that will add value to the economic development agenda of the President and would always be given priority attention. “We want to urge the contractor to do more. Infrastructure is a critical priority of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is how we can get food prices down. Through transportation and easy transportation of agricultural products, we want to move freely across the country. To bring down the prices and inflation, we will be doing more on the funding.”
On the inspection team includes directors from both Ministry of Works and Finance , Managing Director Julius Berger Nigeria Plc , Engr Dr Lars Richter who conducted the two ministers round the projects and several other stakeholders.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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